INTRODUCTION

My interest in nutrition came from my years of competitive combat sports and needing to make weight for the majority of my life. I’ve been ultracompetitive since an early age and I’ve always wanted to possess every advantage possible when it comes to game time or fight time. Performance nutrition was the route I took to maximize my potential and give me an edge over my competition.

Ever since my tortured days of high school wrestling and making weight, I knew there had to be a better way to diet and train. This eventually led to my studying nutrition and how it applies to health, fitness, and human performance. I spent countless hours researching how nutrition can affect the way we look, feel, and perform.

My affinity for food and cooking began long before my entrance into competitive fighting. I come from two cultures—Italian and Argentinean—that have deep-rooted traditions of culinary mastery. I spent many afternoons and weekends around my grandparents, learning the fine art of cooking and preparing delicious cuisine.

This book is a marriage of science and art—from my studies and experiences to my innate passion for food, fitness, and performance. Not only are these recipes healthy and nutritious, but they’re also tried and true. I’ve been using these recipes throughout my fighting career and they’ve aided me in accomplishing my competitive and personal goals.

I wrote this book for all the people who have struggled to cook healthy meals for themselves in order to change their lifestyle. Performance isn’t just for world-class competitive athletes. We all have to perform each day of our lives in whatever manner we choose to make our living. I approach life like I approach a bout: It’s a competition—and I want to win. Whether you’re an attorney in a courtroom, an accountant working in an office, or a weekend warrior triathlete, how you perform matters.

This book is meant for those who want to feel good, have tons of energy, and be mentally focused to wake up ready to attack their day. I don’t care how driven you are—if you don’t feel good, motivation will be lacking. Wake up with vigor and be ready to achieve your goals. The recipes that follow can help you with your objectives—even if and especially if you never compete in a cage or a ring. I hope you enjoy making and eating these meals. They’re personal to me and I hope they can become personal to you. Buon appetito!

Chris Algieri